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Walking The Saint Paul Trail

Walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Taurus Mountains. Following ancient Roman roads and paths we pass through fragrant cedar and pine forests, high altitude pastures and limestone peaks. We visit Lake Egirdir, admire views of Koprulu Canyon and explore the Roman theatre at Selge. Along the way we meet local people including shepherds, and stay in village guesthouses.

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Antalya

Our journey begins in the superbly situated Mediterranean town of Antalya, nestling beneath the peaks of the Beydaglari Mountains. Originally founded by Attalos II, King of Pergamon, the town's turbulent past saw it develop and prosper under Roman and Byzantine rule, going on to become a major staging post for the Crusader ships heading to the Holy Land, before being captured by the Selçuk Turks in the early 13th century. Today it is a busy city but its old quarter remains an enchanting cluster of narrow streets, lined with classical reminders of its Ottoman past.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

Drive to Balkiri. Walk to Egirdir

This morning we head for Balkiri in the Taurus Mountains and the start of our first day’s walk. Starting from the shepherds’ pastures that lie above the town we follow a trail that takes us first to the village of Akpinar, from where we then continue on to our overnight stop on the shores of Lake Egirdir. The lake is the second largest body of freshwater in Turkey and our four hour walk should get us in with plenty of time to spare to enjoy the views across this pleasant lakeside town.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Hike to Yukari Gökdere, then drive to Kasimlar

After a short tour of Egirdir this morning we drive the short distance by bus to the start of our second day's hike. Meandering through a landscape of forested ridges, high pastures and orchards of cherry and apple trees, we spend the next six hours walking to the village of Yukari Gökdere. Meeting our bus here, we then drive on to Kasimlar, skirting the shores of Lake Kovada and when possible making a brief stop at the Roman ruins at Adada along the way.

Overnight: Standard Pension

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

4

Walk to Kesme

From Kasimlar we head next for Kesme, a six hour walk that takes us through a landscape of pine forests, dramatic rock outcrops and over a skyline pass. Accompanied by the soaring, jagged peak of Mount Tota, the walk takes us through a rural setting of lush pastureland, where goat herds and remote farms share the trail with some wonderful views down the length of the canyon.

Overnight: Basic Village House

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Walk from Kesme to Degirmenozu. Drive to Çaltepe

Today’s walk takes us from Kesme and on to Degirmenozu, passing by ruins and rural villages as we make our way south along the old Roman road. After enjoying some lovely views of the dramatic Köprülü Canyon, we meet up with our bus again some five hours later, to drive the short distance on to Çaltepe and the end of our day’s journey. Staying in a local village house this evening, we enjoy some traditional regional fare before turning in for the night.

Overnight: Standard Pension

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Hike to Selge. Visit the Roman theatre

Following a series of old Roman and Ottoman drovers' roads, our journey today takes us through dense forest and past isolated hamlets, on a six hour hike that emerges on the southern slopes of Mount Taurus range. Our destination is the village of Altinkaya home to the remains of ancient Selge, a Psidian city, situated on a plateau that overlooks the dramatic landscapes of the Köprüçay Gorge. After a visit to the remains of Selge's majestic Greco-Roman theatre, an immense structure that in its day was capable of holding nearly 10,000 people, we drive the short distance to Beskonak where we spend the night in a pension on the banks of the Koprucay.

Overnight: Simple Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

7

Visit the Roman bridge at Oluk. Drive to Antalya. Time to explore the old city

This morning we drive to the old bridge at Oluk, a superb example of Roman engineering that spans the gorge of the Köprüçay River. After a chance to enjoy lunch, and perhaps a paddle in the river, we then continue by road the rest of the way back to Antalya where we have the opportunity to explore the old town.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

Tour ends Antalya

Our tour ends today in Antalya.

* Please be aware that if you are booked on a flight arriving back into London after midnight at the end of the tour, you will need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for a 9 day trip as a minimum.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Saint Paul Trail tour available at present.